Formula Renault UK race-winner Alexander Sims believes he has an excellent
chance of two podiums at Donington Park Grand Prix Circuit next weekend, 8th/9th
September, during the penultimate race meeting of the 2007 championship.
The 19-year-old, who claimed his maiden category victory at the
Leicestershire venue’s National Circuit configuration in mid-July, received a
timely confidence boost this past weekend at the Nurburgring in Germany where he
produced a superb performance on his, and Manor Competition’s, debut in the
Formula Renault Northern European Cup.
Although the first race ended in disappointment for Alexander after
suffering a broken steering rack while duelling for position, the second
encounter saw him achieve a solid top five finish. On the back of a podium
result at Brands Hatch during the most recent Formula Renault UK race meeting,
Alexander is enjoying an excellent end to 2007.
“We were fast straight away which was really promising, to be P1 for the
first half of the opening free practice was a fantastic start to the weekend”,
commented Alexander, “New tyres were used by the others before we did but as we
made changes to the car we went faster and faster anyway.
“Qualifying went very well, it was excellent to be on the second and third
rows on our first time at the Nurburgring and when you take into consideration
the European teams have about six 10ths of a second per lap advantage from their
engines over the UK runners it shows, all things being equal, we could have been
on pole.”
The Manor star added: “Unfortunately in the first race the steering broke
after
contact with another car. Race two was solid though, we showed strong pace
and to finish fifth was good. We also made some progress with my starts for the
second race which is hopefully going to make a lot of difference at
Donington.
“I’m quite pleased with how everything went last weekend and I’m very
impressed with the Nurburgring, it’s a great track. It was good experience and
there’s a possibility we’ll maybe take part in the Hockenheim rounds of the NEC
later in the year. It’s all good experience for the future.”
Biggest race meeting of Sims’ career up
next
Alexander and his Manor Competition team will return to the
more familiar surroundings of the Formula Renault UK Championship next weekend,
8th/9th September, for the 17th and 18th rounds of the season at Donington Park
Grand Prix Circuit.
Away from its usual slot on the British Touring Car Championship
package, the category will race at the Leicestershire venue as support to the
World Series by Renault and with over 100,000 spectators expected across the
weekend, the meeting will undoubtedly be the biggest of Alexander’s maiden
season in car racing.
His first ever run on the world-famous Grand Prix configuration will come a
week today, Wednesday, 5th September, during official pre-event testing and the
Cambridgeshire racer is confident of challenging at the sharp end during the
penultimate two rounds of the season.
“I’m really looking forward to Donington, hopefully we’ll be able to end
the weekend with two podiums”, said Alexander, “Racing with 100,000 spectators
looking on will be an awesome experience and although I’ve never driven on the
Grand Prix layout before, I’m confident of some very good results.”
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